the future of nanotechnology
TRANSCRIPT
The Future of Nanotechnology
by Ashlin Burton
Understanding Nanotechnology
• A nanometer is one billionth of a meter
– 100,000 thinner than a human hair
New Phase Space of Material
Materials change and can be controlled
– Periodic table projects into a new dimension
– Materials change color depending on size
History & Momentum
• First Recorded Mention in 1959
• Imaging at the Atomic Level is Uncovered in 1981
• 1988 Stanford University-Nanotechnology Engineering Course
• 2000 US establishes National Nanotechnology Initiative
The Power & Potential
• Unprecedented Production Capacity
• Advance Electronics, Aerospace, and Medicine
• Low-cost Solar Electric Power Systems
• Transition to a Zero Net Carbon Economy
A Business Driven Revolution
• Global Race
• Positives Trump Negatives
• Unsustainable Global Consumption
• Education & Awareness Campaigns
Risk
• Loss of Control or Containment
• Diminished Human Purpose
• AI Unpredictability
• God’s Anger
Difficulty & Threats to Progress
• Societal Fear & Ignorance
• Radical Extremists
• Disrupted Industries
• Existing Infrastructure
Nanotechnology a Faustian Bargain?
• Merging of Human and Machine
• Unnatural Extension of the Human Lifespan
• What is wrong with playing God?
• Is it the Human Quest for a Better Life or a Better Profit?
The Resistance
The Revolution
References
Timeline a brief history of Nanotechnology. (2012). Retrieved from http://dm4community.com/2012/01/13/timeline-history-of-nanotechnology/
Pidgeon, N. (2009). Nature nanotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v4/n2/abs/nnano.2008.362.html
Madrigal, A. (2008). The Chinese Government’s Plans for Nanotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/02/the-chinese-gov/
Sterling, B. (2007). Bangalore Nanotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2007/12/bangalore-nanot/